Damn, I'm digressing already... Start again:

Rather than write about what's on the news, and having no inspiration myself, given the deluge of political crap that's going through my head from listening to the radio, or watching TV, or just getting the mail...

Damn again...

So I decided to do the Wiki Random article thing again. Not that it's been much luck so far. But it's better than the electioneering that is bombarding me (and us), while offering nothing new, only more of the same, whether it's the same or a different party in charge, or (perhaps better) having no party in charge...

Damn, damn, damn...

So, how about a piece about "...And Now Miguel", a children's book by Joseph Krumgold? Wikipedia's summary is as follows:

"Miguel has dreamed of visiting the Sangre de Cristo Mountains since he was very little. This summer, he is going to work hard and pray until his father and grandfather realize that he is ready to take the trip with the rest of the older men. His prayers are granted, though ironically – when his older brother is drafted his father needs an extra body and grudgingly allows Miguel to accompany them. Miguel is miserable with the manner in which his wish has been granted, and confesses to his brother what he prayed for. His brother explains that he had been praying to leave New Mexico and see more of the world – while he is not happy about being drafted, he fatalistically accepts that it is the only way he is likely to be able to fulfill his dream. The brothers resolve to allow God to work freely for the rest of their lives, and not bother God with petty requests."

Would that we could all learn this lesson. Your God (in whatever manner you perceive God to exist) may be a personal God. Your God may be distant, like that great great aunt you've only met a couple of times - and tried to make a good impression on, but you realize you probably failed, as you really have no common ground on which to relate. Or your God may be close, like your buddy - the one you went drinking with last week, who relates and understands, and forgives you when you throw up in the back of his car because he gave you a lift because you were to drunk to drive your own car home, and then he went out of his way to pick the car up for you the next day, since you were way too hung over, and besides he had your keys and you didn't remember where the car was anyway.

But no matter what manner of God you see, God should not be bothered with requests. Not ever.

There is a concept (albeit mostly in science fiction) called the butterfly effect. Read about it in Wikipedia if you don't get the reference. (Now why couldn't that come up in Wikipedia random article search???) Imagine the level of butterfly effect if God him or herself was directly intervening in your life. Wow! Like, the Godderfly Effect!

If a butterfly could cause or prevent a hurricane, what might God be responsible for, for answering your prayer?

Let's say you're out driving, and you are running low on gas. You pray "God, I'm tired and late, and I'm two miles from the gas station. Please don't let me run out of gas. Please? I'll go to church Sunday, if you do..." And God answers your prayers, and the gas tank miraculously does not run out of gas, when it should have...

This means that your car isn't parked by the side of the road.
This means that a passing police car does not stop, since there is no reason to stop, and the cruiser is broadsided at the next intersection, killing four.
This means that you don't walk to the local gas station, and meet this really cute woman, who is single - and crying, because her boyfriend just dumped her - and you don't get to ask her out to talk about her feelings, and comfort her, and end up marrying her, which is a mistake, as she eventually realizes that she accepted you only on the rebound, and she really shouldn't have committed to someone who can't even plan when to stop and get gas.
This means that you do get home in time to catch a phone call from your best friend, who convinces you to go out with him to the pub where you get wasted and end up throwing up in the back of his car because he gave you a lift...
But I digress...
No, I, what's the word? I recurse... (Is that a word?)